Moors Murders search: New hunt planned for four victims of Ian Brady and Myra Hindley

After 50 years, experts believe they have pinpointed where the body of Keith Bennett and three other children are buried

After 50 years, experts believe they have pinpointed where the body of Keith Bennett and three other victims of the Moors murderers are buried

A fresh hunt for Moors Murders victim Keith Bennett is to be launched next week.

Experts claim they know where the 12-year-old was buried by Ian Brady and Myra Hindley.

For 50 years the family of Keith have suffered the heartache of not knowing where the tragic youngster’s body lies.

But their hopes of finding his remains were tonight given a boost by a team of search ­specialists who next Monday will begin the new hunt for him and three other missing children they believe could be buried in the same area.

Keith’s brother Alan said he has also obtained new evidence that may pinpoint where the evil pair buried his sibling in 1964.

Although not connected to the new search, he added: “My mother campaigned her entire life to be able to give Keith the Christian burial he deserved.

"We will continue her efforts and will never cease until he is found and laid to rest.”

The team that will start hunting for the youngsters on Saddleworth Moor near Manchester next week is headed by Welsh Mountain Rescue leader David Jones.

He is convinced new evidence will bring them closer than “anyone has ever got” to finding Keith and the other missing children, who are thought to be victims of a ­paedophile gang linked to Brady.

David said: “We think there could well be other bodies, but our priority is finding Keith Bennett.

“I am hoping 100% that we can find Keith, but I am aware that it might not be him buried.

“We’ve identified three specific new areas of the moor and will operate a grid system of search using the ­equipment and dogs.”

Keith’s mum Winnie went to her grave in 2012 never knowing where her son’s body was buried, despite a lifetime tirelessly campaigning to get to the truth.

David, who was also involved in searching for buried IRA victims, visited Saddleworth Moor with her four years ago.

He identified 19 patches of interest at that time. But he revealed new evidence and a process of ­elimination has now reduced the area to the three football pitch-sized sections he will begin searching.

David added: “We had a really good relationship with Winnie. She always claimed Brady knew where Keith was buried, but believed he didn’t want him found.

"She said she wanted closure and hoped Keith would be found while Brady was still alive.”

The team will use sniffer dogs and the latest hi-tech equipment to search the bleak moor where they believe the children are buried.

The hunt will begin 50 years to the day Keith vanished on his way to his gran’s home in Manchester on June 16, 1964.

Two of the specially-trained hounds – used to find bodies – were last week in Malaya helping in the search for tragic British backpacker Gareth Huntley.

Extensive research commissioned by a consortium of professional individuals, including a High Court judge, lawyers and former police officers, committed to finding the truth about the Moors Murders and other killings will be made public in a few days.

Their detailed analysis has found “fresh facts” they hope will lead to them to the buried bodies.

The project’s spokesman said: “We want to crack this case and my party feel we are getting very close.

“It is a very sensitive issue and we have a lot of people working quietly in the background, scientists amongst others looking to find reasons why Keith’s body has never been found.”

Alan, from Manchester, also hopes to be able to convince police to carry out a separate search of the area.

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